Abigail suffers a firestorm of mental illness ignited by the loss of her infant son. At the turn of the century in Baltimore, Maryland, therapy for mental illness is a nascent endeavor. Abigail yearns for a happy family free from the horrors of mental illness, so Bill, Abigail's husband, and her mother-in-law Margaret spend hours searching for a place where Abigail can rest and find a remedy for her compulsions. Dr. Samuel Ledis the founder of the Ledis Therapeutic Institute in New Hampshire has a good reputation and was trained by William James and Sigmund Freud. Overcome by fear and anxiety, Abigail finally consents to treatment.
Dr. Ledis does have a healing touch and is able to help Abigail manage her mental illness, but he has a dark side. He pursues rendezvouses with his female patients. When Abigail confronts him with his indiscretions, he holds her captive at his institute. Abigail shrewdly finds a way to escape and is rescued by her husband, Bill who becomes aware that she is pregnant.
Bill, a regional director of the Baltimore Railroad is asked to help the British rail system. While in London, he has an affair. Soon after he returns from England, Abigail finds an abandoned infant on her porch. She finds that the baby is the result of this affair. Abigail is deeply wounded by his betrayal, but when she hears the infant's cry, she opens her heart and chooses to raise him as her own. Bill apologizes profusely, but Abigail locks him out of her heart. The bonds of their marriage are shredded. Abigail's resilience is sorely tested, but amid her pain and agony, she somehow finds a way to move beyond his betrayal to forgiveness.
Bill is asked to return to London to help with the war effort and wants Abigail to accompany him. He consults and trouble-shoots the war trains, and Abigail aids the war effort by helping the wounded soldiers on an ambulance train. They are called back to Baltimore because of a family illness. At that time, they continue raising their family of two children, Margo and Billy together. Bill and Abigail once again experience the deep satisfying love that brought them together.
As The Great War heats up, Bill is called to London one last time. He sails to England on the Lusitania, which sinks off the coast of Ireland. While waiting to hear if Bill has survived, Abigail is tormented with anxiety and overcome by fear. Has the love of her life survived the sinking of the Lusitania? If yes, does he have injuries? If not, can Abigail handle the crushing blow of another loss? Either way, Abigail must draw from her strength and resilience.